Jamie Waters, from Andyk Road, Canvey Island, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to the manslaughter of 27-year-old Urim Rama, from London, who died following an assault in Duke Street, Chelmsford, on August 19.

DI Martin Pasmore, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “This case highlights the dangers of excessive drinking and the violent anti-social behaviour that all too often follows.

“Jamie Waters had been drinking heavily that night and he threw a bottle at a completely innocent man and his girlfriend in Duke Street, Chelmsford.

“Together with a drunk friend, he then approached the couple and threatened them.”

Mr Rama, who had been living in the UK for 11 years and working as an electrician, was also in Duke Street.

He witnessed 29-year-old Waters’ behaviour and intervened by asking the two men to walk away and not fight.

DI Pasmore added: “His actions were entirely passive and he initially calmed the situation, allowing the couple to walk away.

“Whilst Mr Rama continued to talk to the other man, Waters surreptitiously walked to the side of Mr Rama and without warning punched him on the face.

“Mr Rama was knocked unconscious by the punch, resulting in him hitting the ground very hard, causing a fatal brain injury.

“Although it is clear that this punch would have caused really serious harm to Mr Rama the investigation did not reveal any evidence to suggest that he intended to cause serious harm or death. Where death results in these circumstances the offence is one of manslaughter, which still amounts to an unlawful killing.

“The judge accepted Jamie Waters guilty plea to manslaughter. This decision must be difficult for Mr Rama’s family and friends to accept when their loved one has been killed in such a senseless way.

“My heart goes out to Mr Rama’s family and I hope that their pain will ease with time.”